Scott County Schools Receives National Recognition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Scott County School District as a 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for strategically managing and improving the energy efficiency of its entire building portfolio. Scott County is one of four school districts in the nation to receive such a prestigious award. Through its partnership with the ENERGY STAR program, the Scott County School District has improved its energy performance, saved money, and helped to protect the environment for future generations.

“Managing our energy use in partnership with ENERGY STAR has significantly improved our avoided cost,” said Mrs. Patricia Putty, Superintendent, Scott County Schools. “Making the Scott County School buildings more energy efficient is one of the most effective ways for us to prevent pollution and save money, and we are honored to be recognized by EPA for our efforts.”

With a focus on ongoing performance measurement and whole-building improvement, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides a proven energy management strategy that has helped Scott County Schools achieve important reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Key accomplishments of Scott County Schools’ award-winning energy management program include: All schools except one have earned the Energy Star Award and they have avoided over $1.1 million dollars in the three years that the program has been in place.

“Superior energy management is our most cost-effective climate strategy and Scott County Schools continues to exemplify leadership in this category,” said Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Scott County Schools’ innovative practices provide a model for energy management in the places we work, shop, and play. These strategies help the bottom line and support the well-being of families across America by reducing pollution and protecting the environment.”

EPA’s annual ENERGY STAR Awards honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The award winners are selected from nearly 20,000 partners that participate in the ENERGY STAR program and will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2013. Over the last 20 years, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved more than $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

About Scott County Schools

Scott County Schools, located in Scott County, Kentucky, serves more than 8,600 students in 12 schools. The district has embraced the tools offered by ENERGY STAR and has made major, district-wide improvements in energy efficiency. Scott County Public Schools is receiving ENERGY STAR recognition for its demonstrated success in improving energy efficiency. Key 2012 accomplishments include:

Avoiding more than $990,500 in utility costs during the first 28 months of the district’s energy management program.

Earning ENERGY STAR certification for 10 of the district’s schools in 2012.

Achieving an average ENERGY STAR energy performance score of 84 across the district’s portfolio of buildings.

Participating in EPA’s 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition—Northern Elementary finished 13th in the nation, 5th out of all schools, and first in Kentucky with an energy consumption reduction of 28.5 percent. All Scott County Schools participated in the 2012 competition, and all schools demonstrated improvement during the campaign.